UK Radiation Shielding opportunities

LKAB Minerals joined over 100 top engineers in the UK nuclear industry at the second ICE Nuclear organized by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the conference covered UK construction opportunities both at home and abroad.

For LKAB Minerals this event gave us an opportunity to learn about the current challenges within the industry and of course to find what possibilities exist in the industry for Magnetite products to be used as radiation shielding.

The most interesting marketing information for LKAB Minerals from the event was:

The plans for developing the next generation of nuclear experts in the form of apprenticeships

The plans for a new storage pond at Sellafield

11 new reactors BWR’s or PWR’s planned in the UK

Decommissioning of up to 18 existing plants in accordance with the strict safety legislation in place

Looking at the broader nuclear industry, there are in total 309 reactors at 109 sites in Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Of this total number of reactors, 183 are operable, 16 are under construction, 40 are planned and 70 are shut down or under decommissioning.

The most interesting projects in the nuclear industry for LKAB Minerals are of course the sites that are to be constructed or decommissioned. Due to the radiation shielding properties of LKAB Minerals’ MagnaDense, as proven for decades, it can be incorporated into the concrete walls of nuclear new builds or refurbishments, and results in less concrete being required producing thinner walls. A reduction in thickness of up to 40% can be achieved, whilst maintaining the same level of radiation protection essential for nuclear new builds and decommissioning.